The Canadian Dental Care Plan Explained
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal government programme providing dental insurance coverage to eligible Canadians who do not have access to private dental insurance. Launched in 2023 and progressively expanded through 2024–2026, the CDCP represents the most significant expansion of publicly funded dental care in Canadian history.
The programme is administered by Sun Life Financial on behalf of the Government of Canada, providing coverage for a defined range of dental services including examinations, X-rays, cleanings, fillings, extractions, dentures and some specialist referrals, depending on the patient’s income level and age group.
Coverage & EligibilityWho is Covered by CDCP?
- Children under 18 with adjusted family net income below $90,000
- Adults 65 and older with adjusted family net income below $90,000
- Persons with disabilities (disability tax credit recipients) with qualifying income
- Working-age adults 18–64 (phased rollout, expanded in 2025)
Total estimated eligible population: approximately 9 million Canadians who previously had no private dental insurance.
Supply Impact: An estimated 9 million newly covered Canadians represents a significant expansion of the addressable patient base for Canadian dental practices, directly driving increased demand for consumables, restorative materials, preventive products, PPE and sterilisation supplies.
How CDCP is Driving Dental Supply Demand
The CDCP’s expansion has translated into measurable supply demand increases across multiple categories:
Increased Patient Volume
Practices participating in CDCP are seeing new patients who have deferred dental care for years, often presenting with higher treatment complexity and multi-appointment care needs.
Higher Consumable Consumption
More appointments directly translate to higher consumption of gloves, masks, syringes, cotton products, impression materials and restorative supplies.
Preventive Product Demand
Many CDCP patients are accessing preventive care for the first time, driving demand for fluoride varnish, prophy paste, sealants and hygiene supplies.
Restorative Materials
Deferred treatment cases presenting through CDCP often require multiple restorations, increasing composite resin, bonding agent and cement consumption.
CDCP Impact by Province
| Province | Est. Newly Covered | Primary Supply Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | ~3.2 million | Consumables, restorative, preventive |
| Quebec | ~1.8 million | Preventive, restorative materials |
| BC | ~1.4 million | General consumables, preventive |
| Alberta | ~900,000 | Restorative, orthodontic |
| Manitoba/Saskatchewan | ~550,000 | General practice supplies |
| Atlantic Provinces | ~400,000 | Restorative, prosthetics |